School district earns environmental award

FALLBROOK – The Fallbrook Union High School District was presented with an award for energy stewardship from Energy Education at its October 24 board of trustees meeting. The award recognized the district’s efforts to implement an innovative organizational behavior-based energy conservation and management program.

The school district achieved a 20 percent cost savings totaling $177,050 in 12 months since forming a strategic alliance with Energy Education. According to EPA/EGrid figures, in the first 12 months of the program, the district saved 4,631 MMBTU, the equivalent of 371 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 67 cars removed from the road, or 9,495 pine trees grown for 10 years.

“This energy program is an excellent vehicle to assist our personnel in practicing good stewardship of our resources,” said Dale Mitchell, superintendent. “The willing participation of virtually every staff person — faculty, administrators, food service, maintenance and custodial staff — adds to our success.”

Darin Vey, energy education specialist for Fallbrook Union High School District, manages the program to save energy and water. He conducts several weekly energy audits to ensure that students and faculty are comfortable during class times and scheduled activities, and that energy is used only as necessary.

“After working in this program for 12 months we have reduced substantial energy usage through organizational behavioral change,” said Vey.